Wichita eagle., 1887-12-11
WICHITA THE WONDERFUL.
Garfield not a State, but g National
Institution"

-GGInSlO nOL SL2LS, = Ndl4Cllal
Institution"
J. H. Garrison, d. d., editor IN chief
who has been making western trip and
who stopped day or two in Wichita,
writes the following complimentary let
ter of Wichita and some of her people:
On our homeward trip we came by
Wichita, as it lay in the path of our
travel, and had farther opportunity of
witnessing the wonderful strides which
this late western town has made towards
metropolitan dignity and magniticence.
Kansas has had wonderful history and
a phenomenal development, and nothing
connected with her sudden transition
from territorial sparseness to a
populous statehood, has been more
marvellous than the magical growth
of this peerless princess of
the plains" as the editor of the Eagle
proudly designates it. By the favor of
the. energetic and accommodating Bro.
r. n. Spurgin. the real estate agent. who
kindly volunteered to take Bro. TOof and
myself over the city. we were permitted
to view it from the surrounding heights,
and to drive along It's crowded thor
oughfares. Enterprise and public spirit
have made Wichita what is is, and they
are destined. we believe, TO build there,
in the valley of the Arkansas, where the
Little Arkansas unites its destiny with
the greater. city OF from 100000 to
300,00 population.
The one thing about Wichita which
interests all our readers its flu
ture is Garfield university-an in
StitutiOn whose very name
will attract attention through
out the civilized world. After dining
with Bro. Everest, the Chancellor, he
showed US through the building. the
north wing of which was just being
completed Its large, well-lighted and
well-ventilated recitation rooms, steam
heated and fitted up with black-boards
with offices adjoining for the professors,
are enough TO make one wish to be a
college student again. The whole
structure is on a scale of magnificenCe
unequalled perhaps by anything in the
state, and when completed Will be a
worthy monument to the hOnOred
name it bears, and to the people who
have erected it. 1t Is evident that this
building has been planned not as
a state, but as a national mStl-
tuition. and if the teaching shall
cOnport with the external structure, it
will no doubt attract students from far
and near. We had the pleasure of at
tending the Central church prayer meet
ing. presided over by by Bro. Hobbs, the
pastor. 1t was a pleasure to see so
many present and participating i'll the
worship. At Bro. Hobbs invitation we
spoke awhile to the people and tried to
emphasize the responsibility OF the
church Of Christ in city like Wichita.
We also visited the new building on
Lawrence on Lincoln streets were Bro.
Monroe breaches 1t is frame build
ing in the modern style of architecture,
and is an attractive place The bap-
tistrv of this church is unique, so far
as our experience goes. 1t has a kind Of
false bottom to it, which is raised to a
level on the pulpit platform, by ropes
suspended from the ceiling in rear of
pulpit, and worked by men invisible to
the audience. The candidate and adj
ministrator step on this platform and are
lowered into the water. and after the
baptism they are raised again 10 the level
OF the platform and step out into the
GItSSiI!g ROOM. OuI icditiS OuSjil i4Ot
to be troubled in finding an apostolic
precept which authorizes such a con-
trivance. We have one III mind but
need not quote it.
The church III Wichita has bright flu
tllre, if the brethren maintain unity aud
act coiointlv in al matters Of general in
terest. as one body. Separate congrega-
tons there must needs be with their local
interests and home rule in matters of
purely local concern: bat there should be.
and we are glad to learn that there Is to
be, general board or council Of breth-
rem. representing all these congregations,
before which all matters of general in
terest to the cause in the city, are TO be
brought to insure unanimity of action.
This we regard as of the very highest
Importance to the success of our cause
in the cities. For lack Of 1t there have
been many failures. In every city where
we have more than one congrega-
ton such a union should be formed and
maintained In seekingto do 50. how
ever. it is well to discriminate between
consolidation and cooperation. The for
mer NAV be wise in exceptional cases
where there has been previous mistake,
but the latter is what is needed all the
time-unity Ct interest and action. secUr-
ed by common board. This IS not in
consistent with congregational autonO-
my, but is an expression of that unity
for which we plead.
Our visit to Wichita was made very
pleasant by the kindness of Bro. Fox
and family. and the association of Bro.
Toof. which was like living over the old